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We looked inside some of the posts by amycolston-blog1 and here's what we found interesting.
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16 hours ago
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Video
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Last Seen Tumblr Blogs
Fun Fact
When “GIF” was named word of the year in 2012, Oxford Dictionaries U.S.A. credited Tumblr for pushing the word.
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Final check
Today I did a final check that everything works.
-Website/ domain name
-Email address on website is linked
-Vimeo showreel
-Blog
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Lighting research
Its important as DoP that I know about my lighting and colour palettes. It is clear throughout my project that I have kept my concise for my audience through its design and colour palettes.
For my upcoming film Burgundy, as DoP I did some research on day for night shoots, epically for the forest scene. When doing my research on cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, he spoke of Pan’s Labyrinth was the first day for night shoot he has ever done. In an article with New York Fil Academy they discuss the lighting in Pan’s Labyrinth, which I have found very interesting. The crew shot a lot of day for night, mainly in the forest scenes as it was difficult to artificially light. The article then goes on to say “By underexposing these scenes three to four stops, Navarro not only created night, but gave it an eerie presence that fit the film’s fantasy elements. He purposefully kept lighting effects that could only be attained with sunlight, which jarred the image when it passed itself as night, creating an aura of experimentation one might usually find in cinematography school.” What I like about this is that it created a fantasy eerie about it. That is what I want to create in our forest scene. Letting in natural lights will help create a more sustainable act of lighting to create a spooky feel.
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/best-cinematography-exploring-light-dark-pans-labyrinth/
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Getting ready for the hand in
Getting the final things together for the hand in. The theme of white and grey links with my logo. My showreel has been burnt to a DVD. Cover page, introduction page and CV has been printed. A PDF copy is available on my website!
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Industry job and CV feedback!
I have a family friend who is in the industry who is also good friends with a well known director called Bryan Singer! David said that he would pass my details on to Bryan’ PA and see if there would be anything for me!
I also asked David for some feedback about my current CV and I got positive notes back and some helpful information.
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Skills and Strengths
-Works well with new people and can fit into a new environment easily.
-Social and communication skills.
-Good listener and learns new things quickly.
-Aware of how important communication is.
-To stay calm in a stressful and busy on set environment.
-Fast problem solving.
-Knowledge and experience with various cameras and lenses.
-Planning before. As DoP -- Lighting plans, shot list, camera movements. . Director-- Clear communication with your actors and crew, . shooting schedule and storyboards.
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Pan’s Labyrinth- Cinematography and Directing inspiration
Guillermo Del Toro (director) takes the two genres horror and fantasy to the extreme in his films by merging them seamlessly together.
Guillermo Navarro’s (DoP) auteurs work and also a favourite film of mine is Pans Labyrinth, to which in 2006 Navarro won an Academy Award for Best Cinematographer for the film. The film is a great example of the colour palettes I am thinking of using in Burgundy to represent the two worlds.
Pans Labyrinth is a 2006 Spanish dark fantasy film. The film is about Ofelia, who interacts with a mysterious Faun creature. The narrative intertwines the real world and a mythical world.
The film is very dark, creating the dark horror atmosphere. Guillermo del Toro is strong auteur that I the dop have found a great inspiration with the way he has brought this fantasy world to life. Toro has a very distinct and creative mind that enforces these mysterious fantasies in his films. The way je creates his fantasy worlds that collide into the real world of reality.
As we are filming in the woods, it struck me to look at the blue hue wood scenes that feature frequently in this film the way del Toro takes the audience through reality into this fantasy world has inspired me for our film. As we are taken into Sophie’s fantasy in her head but its actually the reality.
Pan’s Labyrinth was shot a lot of day for night, especially in the forests where it was very difficult to artically light. The cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, underexposed these scenes to create night, but it gave it an eerie presence that fit the films fantasy elements.
For the film, darkness is used more than actual light. Lamps and bounce boards were used to bring just enough of the image out of shadow. This is something I will consider and look further into for our forest scene and how it should be lit.
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My amazing reference from Halo
So happy with my reference from Halo! I had such a great time there as a Runner over the summer of 2016, they seemed to like me as stated “Would hire if not in education.”
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My business cards arrived!!
My business cards and stickers have arrived today and I am so happy with them! The logo is slightly raised which I wanted. the colour looks amazing and the simplicity is there that I wanted which ties in everything that I have produced from my CV to my showreel. Very pleased.
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Software Analysis
Illustrator was a great way for me to design my logo, my business cards and create my CV! I found it easy to use as I have been using it since my A-Level photography. What is great is that if you change the size of an image, it does not affect the image quality! This was very important when designing my stuff as it needed to be clear and be presented in a professional way.
-Adobe Illustrator is graphic-driven software used primarily for creating vector graphics. Developed alongside with Adobe Photoshop as a companion product, Adobe illustrator is used for creating logos, graphics, cartoons and fonts for the photo-realistic layouts of Adobe Photoshop.
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Adobe-Illustrator
I used Final Cut Pro X when editing my showreel. I know how to use Avid and like using Avid, but I don't have it on my laptop. I was going home a lot and I have Final Cut Pro X on my laptop so it was more convident to use this editing programme and I wanted to take my time with my showreel and when I got feedback I was able to go straight onto my laptop and develop it.
Pros of using Final Cut Pro X:
1. Superior HD Video Capability
Final Cut Pro is ideally suited to create HD videos of the highest quality. With Final Cut Pro, importing HD video into the editor is easy and flexible. You can import video straight from your camera or even from a tape or reel. You can create high-quality HD videos from any media that supports the format, and Final Cut Pro is updated often for use with the newest cameras and devices.
2. Multi-Channel Audio
If you want to create high-quality videos with surround sound, Final Cut Pro is definitely the editor for you. Final Cut Pro allows you to work with multiple channels of audio and mix those channels in any fashion you choose.
3. Multi-Channel Video
Final Cut Pro also offers you the ability to layer videos. This means that you can play several video frames on top of each other for cool blending or fading effects. In fact, there is almost no limit to the number of videos that you can show on the screen at the same time. You can stack them on top of each other or create cool picture-in-picture effects within your video.
4. Professional Light and Color Correction
Real life doesn't always offer the best conditions for shooting video. The makers of Final Cut Pro understand this and give you the ability to easily adjust and correct problems with color and lighting. You can use these features to give your video a more natural appearance, or you can use them to give your video an entirely new look.
5. Easy Pro Level Transitions
If you need more than simple dissolves, fades or exploding hearts or` stars in your sequence transitions, Final Cut Pro offers a wide variety of commercial level transitions. In fact, Final Cut Pro offers more types of transitions between sequences than any other video editing program available.
6. Commercial Quality DVD Authoring
Once you have completed editing a video with Final Cut Pro, you can easily export the video project to Apple's DVD Studio Pro and create DVDs that rival even the best commercial releases. Creating a high-quality DVD only takes a few minutes, and the quality of the video is sure to impress all that see it.
7. Huge User Support Base
Users of Final Cut Pro not only have access to Apple's highly acclaimed customer support, they also have access to a huge user base that is friendly and helpful. There are many forums and help sites where experienced Final Cut Pro users help out newcomers with solutions to problems they may experience.
8. Large Number of Plug-Ins
One of the biggest advantages of Final Cut Pro is the large number of third-party plug-ins that are available for the software. Although the Final Cut Pro is easy to use, there are third-party plug-ins available that automate tasks and make them even easier. You can also find third-party plug-ins that will allow you to use Final Cut Pro with other software - even if it's not made by Apple.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/buying-selling/8-reasons-to-use-final-cut-pro.html#b
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Job searching
Researching and getting an idea of what jobs are around at the moment. I have singed up to the these websites so I get alerted if any new roles become available. When doing my research on my career role it said that the best way in is starting as a runner and working yourself up to an AD. I have taken this advice as I have also been told this by people I have spoken to in the industry.
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Testing my logo and domain name
I have developed and designed my title role under my logo name in the same font so it all links. I tested my domain name and that works for my website. The colour palette is looking good. The website is looking really good and everything is tying together with my brand.
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DoP
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I loved being DoP for this project. My group and I recreated a scene form The Dead Poets Society. My role was very important for this project as I had to visually recreate the same visual experience. I found this a great challenge that made me learn new skills and techniques and it turned out amazing!
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Video
vimeo
Showreel is up! Very happy with my showreel. It has the links and you can tell that it is my work. To those who have the password enjoy!
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SWOT Analysis
S T R E N G T H S
What are your advantages?
My advantage within the film industry is my drive, passion and my determination to thrive in what I do. I love everything about the industry. Putting my vision on screen and creating a form of escapism is something that has really stuck with me since and drives me to succeed in this industry. Having experience in this industry so far has opened my eyes to how competitive it is and the drive I have gives me that passion to not stop until I achieve my goal within the industry. I am also a good team player. I work very well in group work and individual work. I have been praised on set with my communication skills and how I can adjust quickly to a new environment and a new team. I am very friendly, outgoing and I am very interested in learning new things as well as listening to other people.
What do you do well?
I have a very creative eye for detail and I am very good at picturing what I want when I read a script or hear a song; the visuals instantly come to my head. I do well at learning new things. Being at University and studying Film Production has allowed me to learn other areas of the production team that I wouldn’t think of doing. I think this is great though as I now know everything about each department. This is something that put me ahead of someone who is as familiar with other departments. When starting university I knew I wanted to be a Director but after my second year the role of DoP really stood out for me, which I was surprised at. I loved being put on visuals and my passion for photography fitted perfectly with this. I also learnt a lot about lighting in second year which again was something I wasn’t keen on learning but now I know the ins and outs of lighting it has really adapted my perseverance for the role of DoP.
Why did you decide to enter the field you will enter upon graduation?
I have decided to enter the field of directing and cinematography. I am very visual and these two roles that are worked closely together form the use of skills that I have already and development throughout my time at university. After doing my research on these job roles my plan is to join a production team and work my way from a runner to 1st AD. I like the idea of working your way up and having a goal to achieve. So I am looking forward to the drive that will pull me to the top.
What are the motivating factors and influences?
My motivating factors are down to the fact that there aren’t enough female influences through directors and cinematographers in the film industry. The fact of this drives me further to achieving my goal and creating influences to other female directors thriving to their goal in the industry.
Do these factors still represent some of your inherent strengths?
I believe these factors do represent my inherent strengths, as it’s those strengths that encourages and fuels my drive in this industry.
What do you attribute your success?
My drive. I have been shut down loads through my ideas and I have learnt you have to be strong and pick yourself back up and learn to stand up for what you believe in and believe what you want is correct I have learnt that you must stand for what you believe and not to give up. People try to shut you down for their own ideas but you need to stand up for your own and not let you be shut down. I have leant this, especially from my recent project.
What is your greatest asset?
I believe my greatest asset is to be able to work with new people and my social skills. I am able to communicate and create a strong work relationship. I am a quick learner and I believe this gains more opportunities, as people want someone who can adapt to things quickly.
W E A K N E S S
What could be improved?
I need to be confident with my camera lenses. I know my lenses but to be a successful DoP I will need to know my lenses to be quick on set and not let the team down.
What should you avoid?
I believe there is nothing I should particularly avoid, as the only way you can improve your weaknesses is to challenge it and learn. The more experience I can get will help me achieve more.
What are your professional weaknesses?
I believe my professional weakness is the lack of experience I have had on a professional production set as a Runner. I have worked on one set and another in post but I feel as if I need more experience. However I am about to do a floor runners bootcamp in London which is designed for people like me who haven’t worked on a production for a long period of time and this bootcamp develops those skills that are needed on set.
Think about your most unpleasant experiences in school or in your past jobs and consider whether some aspect of your personal or professional life could be a root of cause.
I don’t believe this to be a root of cause for me and in fact I use all of that as a drive to succeed. My passed experiences have made me as stronger person who will stand for what I want and will not let anyone shut me down and not be heard for what I think is right. This has fuelled my determination to thrive in this industry.
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Where are the promising prospects facing you?
The promising prospect for me is the opportunity to thrive in my industry. Learning and working my way up from being a Runner to 1st AD and then Director is something that I can’t wait for.
What is the “state of the art” in your particular area of expertise?
As DoP it would be working with the Arri Alexa, which is a state of the art camera that has been used on so many well-known films. I have had the privilege to work with the Alexa this year and this is something that I can’t wait to continue with. As director it would be seeing everything going on in post and the new software’s coming out from editing to colour correcting.
What formal training and education can you add to your credentials that might position you appropriately for more opportunities?
I had training to be qualified to use the Arri Alexa. I believe that this can appoint me to more opportuneness epically if I want to become DoP one day to asset a camera operator with lenses. This would benefit myself and the direction I want to go with my career.
How quickly are you likely to advance in your chosen career?
In the chosen career that I want to achieve it is known to work yourself up the ladder. I have spoken to a few people in this industry and they have all said the starting point is a runner and then you work your way to up to an AD and onwards from there.
T H R E A T S
What obstacles do you face?
The obstacles I face are standing out from the crowd and the great competition when demanding for a job. This industry is very popular and as a postgraduate I need to be distinctive. However, I believe with my determination, my connections in the industry and my business plan that now has a great logo to go with that I will stand out from the crowd.
Are the requirements for your desired job field changing?
By what I have read online on my research for my desired job, there doesn’t seem to be anything changing that will affect my job. The only requirements that could possibly change are the camera equipment’s, so I must always listen to new things being introduced.
Does changing technology threaten your prospective position?
I don’t feel changing technology would threaten my position, and in fact I believe that it will only enhance my role and make a better performance out of it.
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Showreel development
Today I have been updating my showreel with my new film Burgundy and changing things around to make it look better!
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